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that now saves you also …

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RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH 100 W. Lochmere Drive Cary, NC 27518

919-851-7248 WWW.RLCARY.ORG

A warm welcome to all worshipping with Resurrection Lutheran Church today. This month Resurrection will be celebrating forty two years of ministry. Celebrating our Savior’s love continues today in the faithful gathering of God’s people, whether we are together in God’s house or as you watch online from the comfort of your home. The Lessons and Liturgy Today In this Easter season, we continue to celebrate Jesus raised from the dead, and because He lives, we shall live also. In our relationship with Him, created by the Holy Spirit, we follow His Commands of love. When Jesus instituted Holy Communion, He said, "A new command I give you: Love one another." With this new commandment Christ intends us to move beyond easy words of "I love you," to living acts of love in Christian service to one another. He calls us to love one another genuinely---with a love that exceeds emotions, but dares to invest time, talent, and treasure for the sake of another. Through Christ's Forgiving Love working in our lives, we can love one another.

THE ORDER OF THE SERVICE OF THE WORD

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER - MAY 17, 2020

PREPARING TO COME INTO GOD’S PRESENCE GATHERING MUSIC Harmonia Deum, Exodus and Congregation Great Is Thy Faithfulness – arr. J. Coates [LSB 809]

Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee. Thou changest not: Thy Compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be. Refrain Great is Thy Faithfulness! Great is Thy Faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy Hand hath provided; Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

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Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy Great Faithfulness, Mercy, and Love. Refrain Great is Thy Faithfulness! Great is Thy Faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy Hand hath provided; Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord, unto me! Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine Own Dear Presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Refrain

Text (sts. 1, ref, 2–3) and Music: © 1923, renewed 1951 Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

To listen click https://bit.ly/3cDADhM

WELCOME GREETING OF PEACE

All are invited to greet one another in the name of the Lord, saying, “Peace be with you,”

as a sign of reconciliation and of the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Matt. 5:22–24; Eph. 4:1–3) Any gesture accompanying this greeting (wave, hand over heart with slight bow, or handshake) is welcome.

INVOCATION The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

P In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen. P Alleluia! Christ is risen! C He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

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SONG There is a Redeemer – M. Green

1. There is a Redeemer, Jesus, God's own Son; Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One

Refrain

Thank you, O my Father For giving us your Son, And leaving your Spirit ‘Til the work on earth is done.

2. Jesus, my Redeemer, Name above all names; Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Hope for sinners slain. Refrain

3. When I stand in glory

I will see His face; There I'll serve my King forever In that holy place. Refrain

CCLI Song # 11483. Melody Green. Copyright © 1982 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.), Birdwing Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), Ears To Hear (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing). For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 541609

CONFESSION OF SINS AND GOOD NEW OF FORGIVENESS P God so loved the world that He gave His Only Son, C That whoever believes in Him should not perish but have Eternal Life. P Jesus says, “My Command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. C Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” P Let us not love in word or talk, C but in deed and in truth. P Even though we know we are sinners, we often think of ourselves as being "not so

bad". But this is an illusion. Especially in the light of God’s Commandments, we fail miserably. Our only hope is to approach the Throne of the God of Love, seeking His Mercy in the Name of the risen Christ.

C Most Merciful God, we confess to You that we are sinful by nature, unrighteous, and separated from You. We have sinned against You by our selfish thoughts, our unkind words, and our unloving actions. We so often neglect devotion to Your Word, and spurn the gifts of Your Spirit.

We have not kept Your Commandments, and in so doing, have failed to show our love for You. For the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray, forgive us. Amen.

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P God has heard your confession and promise of repentance. God's Love is not

limited to good will and good intentions, but God has taken action to win salvation for us in Christ Whom He sent to save us!

As a called and ordained servant of Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Live and love in the joy of the Resurrection!

C Amen. Thanks be to God! HYMN

This is the Feast – arr. R. Hillert LSB 155

Refrain This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, 1. Worthy is Christ, the Lamb Who was slain, Whose Blood set us free to be people of God. Refrain 2. Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, And honor, blessing, and glory are His. Refrain 3. Sing with all the people of God, And join in the hymn of all creation: 4. Blessing, honor, glory, and might Be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen. Refrain 5. For the Lamb Who was slain Has begun His reign. Alleluia. Refrain

SALUTATION AND COLLECT OF THE DAY P The Lord be with you. C And also with you.

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P Let us pray. O God, You are the Giver of all that is good. Inspire us to think those things that

are right and loving, and by Your Merciful Guiding to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

HEARING THE WORD OF GOD FIRST READING Acts 17:16-31

(Paul preaches in Athens: “God did this so that people would seek Him Who is near.”) While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the Good News about Jesus and the Resurrection. Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.” (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing

but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. “The God Who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of Heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.

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God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’ “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being

is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent. For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead.”

A This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God. PSALM Psalm 66:8-20

(Praise God, Who has heard our prayer and preserved our lives.) L Praise our God, O peoples, C let the sound of His praise be heard; L He has preserved our lives C and kept our feet from slipping. L For You, O God, tested us; C You refined us like silver.

L You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. C You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us to a place of abundance. L I will come to Your Temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you C vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble.

L I will sacrifice fat animals to You and an offering of rams; C I will offer bulls and goats. L Come and listen, all you who fear God; C let me tell you what He has done for me.

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L I cried out to Him with my mouth; C His praise was on my tongue. L If I had cherished sin in my heart, C the Lord would not have listened; L but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. C Praise be to God,

Who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His Love from me!

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

SECOND READING 1 Peter 3:13-22

(Peter reminds us that Christ died for all people, in order to bring us to God.) Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the Hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s Will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through Whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Who has gone into Heaven and is at God’s Right Hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to Him.

A This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

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HOLY GOSPEL John 14:15-21 (Jesus promises us the gift of the Holy Spirit; and commands us to love as we have been loved.)

P The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the fourteenth chapter. C Glory to You, O Lord.

“If you love Me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Before long, the world will not see Me anymore, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I Am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I Am in you. Whoever has My Commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him.”

P This is the Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to You, Lord Christ. GIVING THANKS FOR GOD’S ABUNDANT GRACE

AS WE RECOGNIZE GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS Words of Introduction

Reading of Graduating Senior’s Names (see page 16 for more info)

GRADUATION RECOGNITION LITANY P Spirit of God, giver of all wisdom, over the years the minds of these graduates have

been filled with numbers and equations, facts and figures, words and sentences, ideas, and dreams.

C We thank you for the rich life of learning these students enjoyed. P You have used so many, including the people of this congregation, to form them

into the people they have become. C We thank You for family, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ to

accompany them on their faith journey.

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P From this day forward, O God, continue to inspire and encourage the minds of

these students, as they seek to serve You together with Your people. C May Your will be foremost for them as they live out their lives in You. P Help them, O Lord, to hear Your Word over the din of life, to expand their minds,

and to continue to grow in the Christian faith. C Whatever is true, whatever is noble, P Help them, O Lord, to respect the rights of others, to treat people with dignity, and

to honor those in authority, C Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, P Guide them, O Lord, as they make decisions and judgments that affect what they

will become. C Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.

P And in all things, may they remember that they can do all things through Christ who

gives them strength. C For He who has promised is faithful and He will do it. P In Your Name we pray. All Amen. HYMN

Alleluia, Alleluia! Hearts to Heaven LSB 477 1. Alleluia, alleluia! Hearts to heav’n and voices raise: Sing to God a hymn of gladness, Sing to God a hymn of praise; He who on the cross a victim For the world’s salvation bled— Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, Now is risen from the dead.

2. Alleluia, Christ is risen! Death at last has met defeat: See the ancient pow’rs of evil In confusion and retreat; Once He died, and once was buried: Now He lives forevermore, Jesus Christ, the world’s Redeemer, Whom we worship and adore.

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3. Alleluia, alleluia! Glory be to God on high: Alleluia to the Savior Who has gained the victory; Alleluia to the Spirit, Fount of love and sanctity! Alleluia, alleluia To the triune Majesty!

Text (sts. 1, 3): Public domain Text (sts. 1–3): admin. Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission: onelicense.net, number A-701709. Text (st. 2): © 1982 Jubilate Hymns Ltd. Used by permission: onelicense.net, number A-701709. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

SERMON Socially Distant but Spiritually Close in Christ, 5: The Gift of a Story to Tell Pastor Jonathan Blanke

I Peter 3:13-22 See Sermon Outline on Page 14

RESPONDING TO THE WORD OF GOD

APOSTLES’ CREED C I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His Only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven and sits at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the Life Everlasting. Amen.

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MUSICAL OFFERING In Christ Alone My Hope Is Found – K. Getty, S. Townend

1. In Christ alone my hope is found;

He is my light, my strength, my song This Cornerstone, this solid Ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm What heights of love, what depths of peace When fears are stilled, when strivings cease - My Comforter, my all in all; Here in the love of Christ I stand

2. In Christ alone who took on flesh;

Fullness of God in helpless babe This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save ‘Til on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied - For every sin on Him was laid; Here in the death of Christ I live

3. There in the ground His body lay,

Light of the world by darkness slain - Then bursting forth in glorious Day, Up from the grave He rose again! And as He stands in victory, Sin's curse has lost its grip on me, For I am His, and He is mine - Bought with the precious blood of Christ

4. No guilt in life, no fear in death:

This is the power of Christ in me! From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hand ‘Til He returns or calls me home, Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand!

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CCLI Song # 3350395 Keith Getty, Stuart Townend. Copyright © 2001 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 541609

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH P Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according

to their needs. After each portion of the prayers:

P Lord, in Your Mercy, C Hear our prayer. P Into Your Hands, O God, we commend ourselves and all for whom we pray,

trusting in Your Mercy for the Sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. C Amen. LORD'S PRAYER

C Our Father Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

BENEDICTION P The LORD bless you and keep you.

The LORD make His Face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The LORD look upon you with favor and give you peace.

C Amen.

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HYMN He Is Arisen! Glorious Word LSB 488

He is arisen! Glorious Word! Now reconciled is God, my Lord; The gates of heav’n are open. My Jesus did triumphant die, And Satan’s arrows broken lie, Destroyed hell’s fiercest weapon. O hear what cheer! Christ victorious, Rising glorious, Life is giving. He was dead but now is living! Text (st. 1): Public domain Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

P Alleluia! Christ is risen! C He is risen indeed! Alleluia! OFFERING (The offerings of God’s people will be received through electronic giving, and through the mail.) POSTLUDE

Christ Lag in Todesbanden - J. S. Bach

Servants in Worship Preacher – Rev. Dr. Jonathan Blanke Liturgist – Vicar Alan Shaw Assisting Minister – Jenny Piontek, High School Youth Director

Organist – Robert Unger, Director of Worship and Music Ministry Pianist/Vocals – Christopher Anderson Reed, Praise Worship Leader Vocalists – Ilea Kuo, Rebecca Melland-Kuo, Deb Oesterling Video Editor – Ben Bipes Acknowledgments Divine Service, Setting One, from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Reprinted with permission. Unless otherwise stated, Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION copyright @ 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

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Socially Distant but Spiritually Close in Christ, 5: The Gift of a Story to Tell Easter 6 (1 Peter 3:13–22)

The last of our 5-part series “socially distant but spiritually close in Christ” focuses on our personal story of hope, for the world. Though we naturally strive to avoid and overcome adversity, trials in life actually form messages about God’s grace which we can share with others. Jesus has prevailed over even hell itself; nothing (not even social distancing during the coronavirus crisis!) can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ!

I. What would you say if someone asked you, “___ ___ ___ _ _______?” a. I had a spectacular fail the first time someone asked me that question b. Our text today calls all of us to be ready to give an answer when someone asks

us to “give a reason for the hope that is in us” c. St. Peter doesn’t write us a script about what to say d. He does specify two factors that will be instrumental in helping us write our

own personal stories. II. Shared ________ “turns up the volume” on what Christians can say about Jesus.

a. This was true for St. Peter’s original audience; “various trials” were one reason he wrote his letter (1:6) and they are at the center of the texts we’ve looked at throughout this sermon series

b. Adversity that arises because of our association with Jesus and occurs even though we are striving to do “what is right” is our focus (cf. Isa 8:12-13)

c. Resurrection high school graduates going off to college might encounter this kind of adversity in the years ahead

d. Holy Baptism gives us a story to tell about who (and whose) we truly are, especially when the world tries to put a different stamp of identity on us.

III. Sooner or later, the “reason for [our] hope” can only be seen in ____ ____ Himself! a. The great exchange: Jesus took our sins so that we might take on His

righteousness! b. Jesus’ descent into hell was a victory lap “in the Spirit” of Him being made alive

(3:18)! Nothing…not even hell and its angels…can overwhelm us. c. As Noah’s family was saved by God through water, baptism is still saving

(present tense) today all who have received it (3:21) and look to God for life IV. Now is the time for all of us to consider ___ ______

a. If you’ve never considered your own “story of hope”: what challenge (something you’re facing now?) causes you to lean on God’s abundant grace for you?

If you’ve already written and told your story of hope before: how might God open a door for you to share that hope with someone in the weeks ahead?

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There are many opportunities to connect, serve, learn, and grow at Resurrection.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for our worship services and other devotionals and encouraging words from Pastor Jonathan. We encourage you to join us as we reach out with the love of Christ –

by grace, through faith, for service.

at Resurrection Lutheran Church

How to Get Connected

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For more information about Resurrection,

Call or Email our office: 919-851-7248

office@rlcary.org

Resurrection Lutheran Church | 100 W. Lochmere Dr | Cary | NC | 27518

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ROSS BOWEN Cary High to Concordia - Irvine DCE Program MARY BUCKLER Apex High to East Carolina Nutrition BRANDON BURGISS Middle Creek to Virginia Tech Engineering ASHLEIGH BUSER Middle Creek to Meredith College Cross Country/Undecided ALYSSA HOFMAN Cardinal Gibbons to UNC CH English/Comparative Language HARRISON HULSE Panther Creek to Concordia – Wisconsin Pre Seminary/Applied Theology and Theological Languages SPENCER HULSE Panther Creek to UNC Charlotte English/Writing

SUZY KOLB Middle Creek to Amsterdam Linguistics ETHAN KUO Apex Friendship to Illinois Inst. of Tech. Aerospace Engineering ELLIOT LUBAK Wake Christian to William Peace or Wake Tech Undecided/Media Studies/Video DEMAREE PERSSON Apex High to NC State Elementary Education/Special Education CHRISTOPHER SAACKS Green Hope to UNC Charlotte Undecided MOYA SHAW Fuquay-Varina to Univ. of South Carolina Biology/Pre Dentistry KARINA STEN Apex Friendship to Wake Tech Psychology

ANNALISA STRIPLIN Panther Creek to UNC Asheville Atmospheric Science